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MAINTENANCE
Cables,
Plugs, and Electrode
Holder or GTAW
Torch
The high frequency
voltage generated
by a High
Frequency
Arc
Stabilizer
tends
to arc
through
cracks,
holes,and damp or weakened insulation in
welding
cables, jacks, plugs, electrode
holders or
GTAW torches. This can increase the risk of shock
from the up to 80 volts AC or 100 volts DC welding
voltage.
Periodically
inspect
for cracks,
missing
parts, excess wear, or deterioration,
and replace
items found to be defective
promptlyo
Spark Gap Setting and Adjustment
1. The spark gaps inside the Arc Stabilizer
have
been pre-set
at the factory.
During
operation
this
setting
will
gradually
increase
due
to
erosion of the spark gap contacts, and should be
checked
and re-adjusted
after every 200 hours
of running time.. The cover must be removed
from the Arc Stabilizer to provide access to the
spark gaps.
DANGER: This adjustment
must be made only by
personnel
qualified
to
perform
electrical
maintenance.
High voltage
exists
inside
the Arc
Stabilizer unless external
power
is disconnected.
Before removing the cover, always remove the plug
and cord of the Arc Stabilizer
and welder from the
power line.
2 Each spark gap should be set between
006 and
.010 inch._ The adjustment
procedure
is as
follows:
a. Remove the cover'
(Refer to the exploded
parts drawing
for parts locations.)
SET SCREWS
FEELER GAGE
b Loosen the set screw that holds the two end
contacts.
c Select a reelergage
(008 thick) and insert it in
the gaps between the two contacts
as shown
d. Push the end contacts
(one at a time) toward
the
center
fixed
contact
until
the
gaps
between
the contacts
is the exact distance
determined
by the feeler-gage
e._Tighten set screws, and install the cover
CAUTION:
High-frequency
intensity and radio and
TV interference
will increase
as the gap setting
increases.Therefore,the
recommended
gap setting
must not be exceeded.
Enclosure Covers
Enclosure
cover-s on both the Arc Stabilizer
and
welder
must be installed
and secured with all the
fasteners originally
provided before connecting
the
Arc Stabilizer
or welder to the power line
OPERATION
The high frequency
voltage
produced
by a High
Frequency
Arc
Stabilizer
is sufficient
to spark
across a small gap between the electrode
and the
work, creating
an initial path of ionizaton
that the
main arc current can follow.
High Frequency
Arc Stabilizers
are most frequently
used
in
conjunction
with
Gas-Tungsten
Arc
(GTAW) Welding where they offer the advantages of
arc
initiation
without
physically
touching
the
tungsten
electrode
to the workpiece
and stabilizing
AC arcs to prevent erratic arcing or pop out
High Frequency
Arc Stabilizers
are also used with
conventional
covered electrode
welding wherethey
offer
improved
arc
stabitity,
particularly
when
welding
with hard to use electrodes
such as tow
hydrogen
and stainless
steel
GAS-TUNGSTEN
ARC WELDING
(GTAW)
Description of GTAW Process
GTAW uses the heat generated
by an arc between a
tungsten
electrode
and the workpiece
to melt the
workpiece
and
create
a weld.
Filler
metal,
if
required,
is supplied
by a filler wire dipped into the
molten wetd puddle to melt off sufficient
metal An
inert gas, usually argon,
shields
the molten
weld
metal and tungsten
electrode
from the surrounding
atmosphere.
GTAW is most useful with AC welding
current
to
weld aluminum
and stainress steel and can also be
used for mild steel and other metals
GTAW can be
used with DC electrode
negative (straight
polarity)
in which case the High Frequency
Arc Stabilizer
aids arc starting,
but may be turned
off if desired
once
the
arc
Is started..
DC electrode
positive
(reverse polarity)
concentrates
the arc heat on the
tungsten
electrode
and is seldom used for GTAW.
Type of Gas Required
Argon
is
recommended
for
generaW purpose
welding.
Argon is available
in K-cylinders
having a
capacity
of
238
cubic-feet
at
a pressure
of
approximately
2200 psi.,
or in T-cylinders
having a
capacity
of
330
cubic-feet
at
a pressure
of
approximately
2640 psi.
Argon
is commercially
available
with a purity
of 99.95% to 99.99%. The
higher purity is recommended
for best results
Pressure Regulator
and Flowmeter
An Argon
pressure
regulator
and ftowmeter,
or a
unit combining
these two items is required
The
flowmeter
should read in cubic-feet
per hour
Electrodes Used With GTAW Torch
For most general
uses a 2% thoriated
tungsten
electrode
shoutd
be used.
Tungsten
electrode
diameters
to be used with this High Frequency
Arc
Stabilizer
are
.040,
t/16,
3/32,
1/8,
5/32
and
3/16-inch.
GTAW Torch
Either a water-cooled
or an air-cooled
torch may be
used
CAUTION
Do not exceed the current
rating of the
torch or damage to the torch will result.
IO
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